Witte 4-for-5, HR, 3 RBI in Portland's 6-5 loss at Reading

Reading, Pennsylvania -  The Reading Fightin Phils (13-9) scored a single run in the last five innings and defeated the Portland Sea Dogs (9-14), 6-5 on Sunday afternoon at FirstEnergy Stadium.  Despite the loss, the Sea Dogs took two of three from Reading over the weekend.

Portland had three leads, but Reading was able to take the lead for good in the sixth inning on a two-out RBI single from Brian Pointer.  In the eighth, Pointer added a solo-homer with two outs to extend Reading's lead to 6-3.

The Sea Dogs made it interesting in the ninth inning, scoring two runs off closer Stephen Shackleford. Mike Miller and Carlos Asuaje ignited the rally with two out walks. Jantzen Witte (4-for-5, HR, 3 RBI, 2 doubles) laced a two-run double, his fourth hit of the game.

Shackleford fanned Oscar Tejeda to end the game and notch his 4th save of the season.

Reading starter Ben Lively (2-0) earned the win, giving up three runs on seven hits and a season-high
nine strikeouts. Portland's Luis Diaz (0-2) suffered the loss, giving up four runs on eight hits over 5.2 IP. Madison Younginer allowed two runs on two hits over 2.1 innings of relief.

 Both teams put up single runs in the second inning. Reed Gragnani reached on a bunt-single and took second base on a throwing error. Blake Tekotte snapped an 0-for-9 slump with an RBI double. Reading came right back, tying the game on a run-scoring groundout by Harold Martinez.

 In the third inning, Witte led off the frame with a solo-homer to left-center field. The home run was Witte's second and his team-leading 20th RBI. Reading tied the game at two in the fourth inning on a solo-shot by Art Charles.

 Witte would ignite the go-ahead run in the fifth inning off Lively. With one-out, he reached on an infield single and scored on Keury De La Cruz's RBI double to left-center field.

 Portland's third lead would not hold up long. Brock Stassi tied the game at three with a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning.

Portland took two of three from the Fightins, winning their first road series of the season.


The Sea Dogs open up a four-game series with the Binghamton Mets tonight at NYSEG Stadium.  RHP Mike Augliera (0-4, 8.00) makes his fifth start of the season for Portland. Pre-game coverage begins at 6:15 PM on the WPEI U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network.